Israeli army accepts gays -- in theory
By Louis J. Salome
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jerusalem -- The Israeli military has a well-burnished
reputation as one of the most tested and successful armies
in the world.
Also as the most socially liberal.
But if the ban on homosexuals in the U.S. military is
removed, the Israeli experience could indicate to gay and
lesbian servicemen and women that there might be a reason to
stay in the closet.
Homosexual soldiers and Israel's only gay rights
organization say homosexuals routinely are discriminated
against in promotions and usually are banned from serving in
sensitive positions if their sexual orientation is
discovered.
Despite the absence of a ban on homosexuality, Israeli
service personnel ``are screened scrupulously'' on their
sexual orientation before promotions are given, said Liora
Moriel, the leader of Israel's only gay rights organization.
``Usually they don't get promoted'' if they come out of
the closet or if their lifestyle is revealed, she said.
Some homosexuals keep quiet and do get promoted to high
levels, Ms. Moriel said. Her organization advises them to
``get a few promotions under their belt'' before they go
public, she said.
The Israeli military denies discriminating against
homosexuals but acknowledges that they are subjected to
psychological testing.
Israel's constant state of war with its Arab neighbors
and its citizen-soldier strategy have made it historically
reluctant to turn aside able-bodied people -- often flouting
conventions in the process.
Military service is obligatory for most Israelis,
including unmarried women, who were drafted as early as 1949
despite the sometimes violent protests of religious
conservatives.
Men now serve three years in the regular army,
typically from ages 18 to 21, and until age 51 in the
reserves. Women serve two years in the regular army, and
their reserve duty usually ends in their mid-20s.
At the end of 1991, Israel had 176,000 soldiers serving
full time and 430,000 in the reserves.
The army has no idea how many of its soldiers are
homosexual, but it operates on the notion that Israel has
the same percentage as other non-Middle Eastern societies.
Despite Israel's prevailing religious conservatism,
which generally promotes the Old Testament teaching that
homosexuality is an abomination, the the military has
helped open the door slightly more to acceptance of
homosexuals.
But society also has limited their acceptance in the
military. ``The Israeli military reflects Israeli society,
and in Israeli society, no one usually stands up and says
he's gay,'' said Lt. Col. Moshe Fogel, an army spokesman.
Colonel Fogel said there is no discrimination when
Israelis enter the military. Homosexual soldiers agree. But
they also agree that if a soldier is discovered to be
homosexual or goes public on the matter, he or she will not
be booted out of the service.
That's where the agreement ends. Homosexual soldiers
scoff at the military's refusal to acknowledge that gays and
lesbians aren't promoted if their sexual orientation is
discovered or they go public.
Colonel Fogel acknowledged that suspected homosexuals
are sent to an army psychologist for testing. The purpose,
he said, is to look for any personality or character
weaknesses; homosexual soldiers interviewed said they were
told the test is conducted to see if they are security
risks.
Colonel Fogel said homosexuality is not treated as an
illness in the exams. If a soldier meets tests of ability,
personality and character, he or she can continue to serve
without limitations, he insisted.
Homosexuals who acknowledge their sexual orientation
and aren't concerned about the personal or professional
implications can request transfers to non-combat or less
stressful reserve units. The requests usually are granted.
``There have been senior officers who have been
declared gay,'' Colonel Fogel said, and he cited a full
colonel who rose in the ranks after his homosexuality was
revealed. But the colonel's homosexuality was known only to
a small circle, Colonel Fogel said, and he could not cite an
example of a gay or lesbian soldier with a higher rank.
Homosexual soldiers say the psychological testing
results in a flagged personnel file that puts a lid on their
military careers.
They say this forces them to stay in the closet, at
least until they have served long and well enough to reach a
higher rank.
Some say the military will protect homosexuals in
higher ranks -- as in the case of the full colonel -- if
their sexual orientation is kept within a small circle but
not if they go public.
Amit Kama, 32, of §e„ Ā|Zj„cid ęĀknows several
homosexuals who remain in highly sensitive intelligence
units only because their sexuality is a closely guarded
secret.
``If you come out,'' said Mr. Kama, a reserve corporal
in the civil defense authority, ``sensitive positions will
not be available and you'll have problems with promotions.
You'll get nowhere.''
Active in promoting gay and lesbian rights, Mr. Kama
said a soldier who admits to being homosexual or is
suspected of it usually is referred to a psychologist.
In interviews for this article, homosexual soldiers
spoke of difficulty in dealing with soldiers to whom they
are attracted, of difficulty in dealing with horseplay in
the showers and of cruel jokes about homosexuals that often
circulate in the ranks.
Gays and lesbians said they frequently had secret
lovers in camps where they were based.
Women said they keep their lesbianism secret because
they fear harassment by male soldiers.
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